Cluster: Science

Mercury pollution levels show need for clean-up

This content was published on Feb 16, 2015 Soil analysis has shown that a minimum of 71 plots in a residential area need to be completely cleaned up, while another 104 show mercury levels pointing only to a light level of pollution. The results have come from around 4000 soil samples. Of the 469 residential properties where the soil was analysed, 294 were…

Climate solutions

Behind the scenes at the Geneva climate talks

This content was published on Feb 12, 2015 For outsiders, it’s hard to get a sense of what happens at climate conferences like the one in Geneva this week. swissinfo.ch tagged along.

Climate solutions

More needs to be done, says environment report

This content was published on Jan 29, 2015 The reportExternal link gives an overview of Switzerland’s environment and natural resources and demonstrates how the Swiss way of life and economic activities affect the environment. In 140 pages it outlines the measures that have been taken to counteract these influences and the areas in which action is required. Measures taken in recent decades have…

Climate solutions

Swiss expedition to study trash in world’s oceans

This content was published on Jan 29, 2015 A Swiss-led, state-of-the-art trimaran yacht will set sail on March 15 as part of a research expedition to study the impact of plastic pollution on the global marine environment. It will focus on five trash ‘vortexes’ located in three oceans.

Climate solutions

Can wind energy overcome planning hurdles?

This content was published on Jan 28, 2015 Wind plants are one way Switzerland plans to reduce its dependency on nuclear energy. In 2011 the Swiss government decided to withdraw from the use of nuclear energy by gradually decommissioning the current nuclear power plants. A long-term energy strategy was drawn up that relies heavily on increased renewable energy, with wind energy playing an…

Climate solutions

Round the world on solar power

This content was published on Jan 21, 2015 The mission of the Solar Impulse 2 is clear: fly around the world without using a drop of kerosene. It will be the first circumnavigation of the world in a solar airplane. The project is technically demanding as the plane has to be able fly for up to five days and nights non-stop. The journey…

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Grass snake named Animal of the Year

This content was published on Jan 5, 2015 Pro Natura also launched on Monday an appeal for the maintenance or creation of reptile habitats such as ponds. The grass snake (Natrix natrix) is one of three water snakes in Switzerland – the others being the dice snake and the viperine snake. Females can grow to up to 140cm, males are smaller. It is…

Climate solutions

Declining house sparrow is 2015 Bird of the Year

This content was published on Dec 29, 2014 Sparrow populations have declined by as much as 40% in some parts of the country since 1980, according to the association. The decline is more acute in cities due to the lack of green spaces and adequate nourishment. A shortage of insects and overdependence on human leftovers is retarding the growth of young sparrows. Besides…

Climate solutions

Minister: defending interests is part of climate game

This content was published on Dec 12, 2014 She told the high-level plenary session of the 20th Conference of Parties (COP20) in the Peruvian capital that efforts should be made globally to reduce subsidies on fossil fuels, pointing out that according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) global subsidies on fossil fuels are estimated at more than $550 billion (CHF533 billion). Leuthard explained…

Climate solutions

How a glacier melts

This content was published on Dec 12, 2014 Scientists have dyed the melt water from the Plaine-Morte glacier to improve understanding of future water management under climate change.

Cluster: Science

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